The vicious tornado that
tore across central Oklahoma on Monday has killed at least 51 people --
with about 40 more bodies expected to arrive at the Oklahoma Medical
Examiner's office, Amy Elliott of the coroner's office said. The
official death toll will gradually rise as the bodies are processed.
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At least 20 of those
killed were children, including seven from Plaza Towers Elementary
School in Moore -- the site of a frantic search early Tuesday morning.
About 75 students and
staff members hunkered down in the school when the tornado hit, CNN
affiliate KFOR reported. The school in the direct path of the monster
storm's fury. A father of a third-grader still missing sat on a stool
outside. Tears cascaded from his face as he waited quietly for any news.
Even parents of survivors couldn't wrap their minds around the tragedy.
"I'm speechless. How did
this happen? Why did this happen?" Norma Bautista asked. "How do we
explain this to the kids? ... In an instant, everything's gone." Across
Moore, even the city's main hospital fell victim to the tornado. "Our
hospital has been
devastated," Mayor Glenn Lewis said. "We had a two-story hospital, now
we have a one. And it's not occupiable." So dozens of wounded had to be
rushed to other hospitals.
At least 145 people were taken to three area hospitals. That number includes 45
children taken to the children's hospital at Oklahoma University Medical
Center, Dr. Roxie Albrecht said. Injuries ranged from minor to severe,
including impalement and crushing injuries.
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